This course is designed to provide research training at the level required to progress to a PhD programme. Through specialised modules in international macroeconomics and international trade theory, you will be taught to apply and develop your analytic and quantitative skills developed in the core courses, and to take further options in areas that will strengthen those skills for examining international economic issues.

At the end of the course, you will be able to read and understand current and classic research papers in the field of international economics. You will have received one-to-one guidance to enable you to complete your first research project on a topic that might include international trade, foreign direct investment or migration.

Dual degree option

The school has professional links with the University of Konstanz and the University of Tübingen in Germany. If you complete the taught component of this course, you can transfer onto our dual degree and spend a second year in Konstanz or Tübingen. This is a great opportunity to travel abroad and study at a highly ranked university in beautiful parts of Germany.

Course details

This course comprises 120 credits of core and optional modules, plus a 60-credit dissertation on a subject of your choice. You will receive one-to-one support from an expert academic supervisor, and methodological and practical guidance through our Economic Research Methodology module.

In semester one, you will take modules in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, econometric theory and economic data analysis.

In semester two, you will take two further required modules in international trade theory and international macroeconomics. You will also start work on your dissertation by taking a module in economic research methodology, and will choose two optional modules from a wide range.

After completing your semester two modules, you will undertake a 15,000-word supervised dissertation which will demonstrate familiarity with a particular area of international economics.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a combination of exams and coursework at the end of the relevant semester.

Modules

Core

International Macroeconomics

International Trade Theory

Microeconomic Theory

Macroeconomic Theory

Econometric Theory

Economic Data Analysis

Economic Research Methodology

MSc Dissertation: Economics

Optional

Two from:

Advanced Macroeconomic Methods

Advanced Microeconomic Theory

Behavioural Economic Theory

Experimental Methods in Economics

Monetary Theory and Practice

Time Series Econometrics

Financial and Macroeconometrics

Applied Microeconometrics

Trade Analysis and Policy

Economics of Household Finance

Economics of Corporate Finance

Applied Behavioural Economics

Development Policy Analysis

Development Microeconomics

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result may change for reasons of, for example, research developments or legislation changes. This list is an example of typical modules we offer, not a definitive list.

Careers

Alumni profile

Johanna Welsch studied economics in Germany and Denmark before deciding to pursue a masters in the UK. Attracted by a more "applied" approach to the discipline, she assembled a shortlist of six universities and finally chose Nottingham.

She received the offer of her current job while writing her dissertation. As a result, immediately after graduation she joined the Government Economic Service's Analytical Fast Stream and now holds a permanent position with the Competition and Markets Authority.

A masters in economics provides a logical and rigorous perspective on human behaviour which is valued by a wide-range of employers around the world, in banking, business, consulting, government and academia.

Former MSc students are spread around the globe, working in academia, government and the private sector. Economics graduate destinations include Barclays, Bloomberg, Deloitte, Economist Intelligence Unit, Goldman Sachs, IBM, PwC, and Thomson Reuters.

Employability and average starting salary

94.4% of postgraduates from the School of Economics who were available for employment secured work or further study within six months of graduation. £31,750 was the average starting salary, with the highest being £45,000.*

* Known destinations of full-time home postgraduates 2016/17. Salaries are calculated based on the median of those in full-time paid employment within the UK.

Career and professional development

Whether you are looking to enhance your career prospects or develop your knowledge, a postgraduate degree from the University of Nottingham can help take you where you want to be.